Italy coach Roberto Mancini has named
Mario Balotelli among the 35 players he has called up to a
training camp in Florence this week to help prepare for March's
playoffs to qualify for this year's World Cup.
The 31-year-old, who has frequently come under fire for his
attitude and off-the-field antics, has not played for the
Azzurri since 2018.
The gifted and powerful striker, whose former clubs include
Inter, Manchester City and AC Milan, is seeking to put his
career back on track with Adana Demirspor in Turkey after
disappointing stints with Brescia and in Serie B with Monza.
Mancini, who coached Balotelli at Inter and Manchester City, has
also called several players up for international duty for the
first time, including Lazio defender Luiz Felipe and Cagliari
forward Joao Pedro, both of whom were born in Brazil and are
naturalized Italians.
European champions Italy face North Macedonia in the playoffs
and then, if they get through, the winner of the match between
Portugal and Turkey.
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